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Celebrating Constitution Day
Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes, and the Courtroom

A one-man play, followed by a lively discussion about professionalism and other legal issues raised in the play.

September 17, 2008
3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Patricia Corbett Theater, University of Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music
1 hour general and 1 hour professionalism CLE credit approved for Ohio.

1 hour general and 1 hour ethics CLE credit approved for Kentucky.

Master of the courtroom stage with an uncanny understanding of human character, Clarence Darrow has been called one of the greatest trial lawyers of the 20th century. The play, Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes, and the Courtroom, brings Darrow to life, exploring his moral convictions and philosophies through four of his most famous cases:

• the Loeb and Leopold Murder Trial, in which he took up the fight to save two young "thrill killers" from hanging;
• the Sweet Trial, in which he defended an African-American man charged with murder resulting from the defense of his home from an attacking white mob;
• the McNamara Bombing Trial, in which his pursuit of justice for his labor union clients enraged both sides; and,
• the Scopes Monkey Trial, in which he argued for freedom from religious suppression in the classroom.

Nicknamed the "Attorney for the Damned," Darrow often took on unpopular and seemingly hopeless criminal cases. He commanded, however, great respect as a trial lawyer, even as he became entangled in controversy for his unpopular stands and criticized for his purported unprofessional behavior. Don't miss this look at the personal struggle Darrow faced as an attorney for justice in a world where justice was not always served. "Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes, and the Courtroom" provokes thought about the frequent conflicts between personal values and professional ethics and the issues faced by a society that asserts the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—equally—for all citizens.

Play Discussion

Professor, former Judge, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Marie Tracey will follow with a 30-minute discussion on the professionalism and other legal issues raised in the play. Professor Tracey is Assistant Professor of Legal Studies at Xavier University.

2 Free CLE Credits

This program has been approved for two (2) hours CLE - one (1) hour general and one (1) hour professionalism in Ohio and two (2) hours CLE - one (1) hour general and one (1) hour ethics in Kentucky.. CLE questions should be addressed to the CLE administrator in the College of Law Dean's office at 513/556-0063.

Please RSVP to 513/556-0090 or email Toni.McGuire@uc.edu.

More About Clarence Darrow Born in 1857, Clarence Darrow, whose life spanned both the turn of the century and the onset of the industrial revolution, worked for four years for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, and for 15 years championed labor union causes. From 1911 until his death in 1938, Darrow worked in his own private law practice. A popular speaker on the lecture circuit, he was one of the first lawyers and public speakers to use an extemporaneous speaking style. He also traveled extensively and published many articles on a variety of important social issues—from capital punishment, which he opposed, to freedom of expression and civil rights—which he supported.

This event is sponsored by the University of Cincinnati College of Law, University of Cincinnati’s Just Community, and the university's Office of the Provost.

Contact Information:
Sherry English
513.556.0060
sherry.english@uc.edu